Retail Buyer

Retail Buyer

Position Type: Full-Time Exempt

Compensation: $60000-$70000

About Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon the former home of George and Martha Washington is owned and maintained by the Mount Vernon Ladies Association of the Union the oldest national historic preservation organization in the United States.

Founded in 1853 by Ann Pamela Cunningham the Mount Vernon Ladies Association pioneered the preservation of a historic American site for future generations. Today the Association works to preserve restore and manage the Mount Vernon estate to the highest standards while educating visitors and people around the world about the life and legacies of George Washington.

Position Summary

The Retail Buyer supports Mount Vernons mission by planning purchasing and maintaining the merchandise assortment for assigned categories. This position manages inventory levels executes replenishment strategies and maintains vendor relationships to support retail sales and an engaging visitor experience.

The Buyer ensures merchandise reflects Mount Vernons educational priorities including George Washington his family estate life business ventures military and political leadership and 18th-century history relevant to Washington D.C. Alexandria and Virginia.

Working across Retail Library Warehouse Finance Events and Marketing the Buyer coordinates merchandise flow supports book signings and special events and maintains a well-curated product mix. Cin7 Core is Mount Vernons inventory management system of record and Shopify is its point-of-sale (POS) system.

Essential Duties

Merchandise Planning and Purchasing

• Plan and maintain a balanced assortment for assigned categories that supports Mount Vernons mission customer interests sales goals and approved budgets.
• Monitor sales trends forecasts seasonality and stock requirements to guide purchasing decisions and generate timely accurate purchase orders within approved authority.
• Maintain current knowledge of relevant publications and merchandise; share product information and historical context with staff.
• Develop book merchandising plans with input from Library Events and Retail leadership; identify assortment gaps and recommend new titles and products.
• Track open orders backorders quantities ship dates cancel dates and delivery details; adjust orders as demand and operational needs change.
• Provide updates to the Director of Retail every two weeks on open orders inventory concerns and purchasing priorities.

Inventory Management and Replenishment

• Maintain appropriate stock levels and replenishment schedules to support product availability while limiting excess and aged inventory.
• Review category performance inventory turns days on hand gross margins and SKU productivity; plan reorders markdowns and product discontinuations.
• Coordinate replenishment and merchandise transfers with Retail and Warehouse teams.
• Partner with Warehouse to confirm deliveries address quality concerns and resolve receiving discrepancies.
• Participate in annual physical inventory preparation and counts including review and cleanup of category records.

Vendor Relationships and Issue Resolution

• Maintain productive vendor and publisher relationships that support reliable timely and cost-efficient delivery.
• Coordinate pricing purchasing terms product availability and delivery schedules; evaluate vendor performance and follow through on concerns.
• Resolve pricing changes delays shortages damages and invoicing discrepancies with vendors and the appropriate internal teams.
• Coordinate vendor returns replacements and credit requests and track them through resolution.

Systems and Data Accuracy

• Maintain accurate purchasing SKU vendor cost retail price and replenishment information in Cin7 Core as the inventory management system of record.
• Coordinate with the appropriate system owners to resolve product pricing or inventory discrepancies affecting Shopify POS and maintain consistency with Cin7 Core.
• Produce regular reports on inventory performance category needs open orders vendor issues and replenishment activity.
• Work with the Retail Office Manager to support invoice accuracy and timely processing; maintain organized purchasing records for continuity and audit readiness.

Cross Department Collaboration and Event Support

• Coordinate inventory needs delivery timing signage and merchandising with Events and Retail for book signings special programs and promotions.
• Provide product descriptions images historical context and other information needed by Marketing and eCommerce teams.
• Communicate incoming merchandise stock concerns and delivery changes to affected departments.

Performance Expectations

• Maintain in-stock levels of 9094% for assigned categories excluding uncontrollable vendor delays and reduce out-of-stock instances through improved forecasting and order follow-up.
• Keep overstock of 120 or more days on hand within category goals; improve inventory turns year over year and address slow sellers through timely markdown and product exit recommendations.
• Support category gross margin goals through thoughtful purchasing replenishment and cost management.
• Submit accurate purchase orders on time and follow up on confirmed ship and cancel dates.
• Resolve vendor discrepancies within five business days whenever possible; communicate outstanding issues and next steps when additional time is needed.
• Maintain accurate item setup and purchasing records prepare categories for inventory counts and demonstrate reliable professional collaboration.

Required Qualifications

• Three to four years of experience in retail buying inventory management or procurement; museum retail or publications experience is a plus.
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in Excel with the ability to turn sales and inventory data into purchasing decisions.
• Experience with inventory management and POS systems. Experience with Cin7 Core and Shopify is a plus.
• Effective problem-solving communication vendor relationship and negotiation skills.
• Strong organization and attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• A dependable collaborative approach and an interest in American history and Mount Vernons educational mission.

Work Environment

This role is performed in a retail or gift shop setting and involves frequent interaction with the public. The work environment can be busy and fast-paced especially during peak visitor hours. The noise level is generally moderate but can be high during our peak season.

Physical Requirements

• The employee must be able to stand for extended periods walk throughout the store and use their hands to handle merchandise operate a cash register and restock shelves.
• Occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds is required.
• Clear communication skills are essential.

Benefits

• 403(b) Retirement plan with employer matching
• Employee recognition at 5 years of service
• Monthly employee events
• Employee referral program
• On-site Library
• Discount on Public Event Tickets
• Discount in the Mount Vernon Shops
• Discount at the Mount Vernon Inn and The Generals Canteen
• Free parking
• Health Vision and Dental insurance
• Short Term Disability Long Term Disability and Life Insurance
• Paid leave for sick time vacation and Holidays
• Flexible spending account for medical care

Mount Vernon is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. As an Equal Opportunity Employer we are committed to building and retaining a team that represents a variety of skills experiences and perspectives. All employment decisions are based on business needs job requirements performance and qualifications without regard to race religion or belief national or ethnic origin gender/sex (including pregnancy) age physical mental or sensory disability sexual orientation gender identity and/or expression marital or domestic partnership status veteran and military status family or parental status or any other status protected under federal state or local law. Mount Vernon will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.